Squibless Missile Battery with Interface Circuit Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flight batteries for airborne missiles and vehicles are often squibbed, making them difficult to reuse, requiring full depletion before replacement, and lacking variable voltage outputs, which complicates testing and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A reusable battery pack with non-chemical, squibless lithium metal oxide cells and an interface circuit that initiates, terminates, and re-initiates power delivery, allowing for variable voltage outputs and easy replacement, reducing testing time and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If squibbed chemical batteries are used for flight power, then reliable power delivery is achieved, but the battery cannot be reused and must be fully depleted before replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is segmented into modular battery packs that can be independently removed and replaced. Each battery pack contains its own squibless battery cells, allowing individual packs to be tested, depleted, and swapped without affecting other packs or requiring full system depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
The squib activation mechanism is extracted and replaced with an electronic control system. The battery pack includes an interface circuit with control inputs that can initiate, terminate, and re-initiate power delivery electronically, removing the need for squib-based chemical activation.
2Reliability
If squibbed batteries are used, then power delivery is initiated reliably, but transportation, storage, and use risks are increased due to chemical instability
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical/chemical squib ignition system is replaced with an electronic control system. The interface circuit uses electrical signals through control inputs to initiate and control power delivery, eliminating the need for explosive squibs and associated chemical hazards during transportation and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery chemistry is changed from traditional chemical batteries requiring squib initiation to squibless lithium metal oxide cells that can be electronically controlled. This parameter change in battery type eliminates the need for explosive initiators while maintaining reliable power delivery.
3Power
If traditional flight batteries are used, then sufficient power is provided, but variable voltage outputs are not available complicating testing
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system incorporates dynamic control capabilities through the interface circuit, allowing real-time adjustment of power delivery parameters. The control inputs enable the system to vary voltage outputs dynamically during operation, adapting to different testing requirements and load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery pack is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power source and a controllable test device. The interface circuit provides multiple control inputs that enable various operating modes and voltage levels, making the same battery pack suitable for different testing scenarios without requiring multiple specialized battery types.
4Duration of action of moving object
If batteries must be fully depleted before replacement, then complete discharge cycle is achieved, but testing time and expenses are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system is divided into replaceable modular packs, allowing individual packs to be swapped out before complete depletion. This segmentation enables parallel testing where multiple battery packs can be cycled simultaneously, reducing overall testing time compared to waiting for single battery full depletion.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple battery packs are prepared in advance, allowing preliminary setup of test configurations. When one pack is depleted or needs testing under different conditions, another pre-prepared pack can be immediately installed, eliminating waiting time and maintaining continuous testing operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient and cost-effective testing by allowing battery power to be shut down and restarted without depletion, providing multiple voltage levels, and eliminating the risks associated with chemical batteries, thus shortening development time and reducing expenses.
Implementation Method 1
one or more non-chemical, squibless batteries, preferably comprised of high power density primary cell lithium metal oxide cells
Data Source
AI summary
A receptacle in the body of a missile includes a plurality of electrical contacts connected to one or more electrically powered devices within the missile and configured to connect to an electrical power source. The receptacle receives a removable and reusable battery pack including connectors contacting the plurality of electrical contacts when the battery pack is mounted within the receptacle and one or more non-chemical, squibless batteries, preferably comprised of high power density primary cell lithium metal oxide cells. An interface circuit coupled to the squibless batteries initiates, terminates, and re-initiates delivery of electrical power from the squibless batteries to the plurality of electrical contacts based on a control input. Transportation, storage, and use risks associated with squibs in chemical batteries are avoided. During development testing, battery power may be shut down and restarted without the battery first becoming fully depleted and replaced shortening overall testing time and reducing expense.